Laterally adjustable print head

• US 5,882,126 A
• Filed: 02/12/1998
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Bowling, Kinred
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ghatt, Dave A.
• Application Number:
  US09/022,937
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 400/208, 400/663, 400/55, 400/56, 400/509, 400/58, 101/288, 156/284
• US Class Current: 400/55
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 25/316 with tilting motion mechanisms relative to paper surface
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material

Abstract

A print head assembly for use in a printer which includes a platen roller positioned adjacent a paper path and a first positioning member associated with the platen roller includes a print head and a support for the print head. The support is positioned for sliding along a longitudinal member. A second positioning member extends from one of the print head and the support for movement therewith. The second positioning member slides into contact with the first positioning member to position the print head relative to the platen roller. A cam follower arrangement urges the print head into engagement with the platen roller.

Claims

1. A print head assembly for use in a printer in which a web of label stock travels along a paper path, comprising

a print head

a support for the print head, said support being mountable within a printer such that the support slides along a path which is parallel to the paper path;

a post which extends along said path;

wherein said support includes a passageway and said post passes through said passageway such that said support slides on said post;

a spring positioned against said support and biasing said support to slide along said path.

2. The print head assembly of claim 1 wherein said print head includes a first positioning member which contacts a second positioning member associated with a platen roller to position the print head with respect to the platen roller.

3. The print head assembly of claim 1 wherein a locking ring is provided at the distal end of said post for retaining said support on said post.

4. The printer of claim 1 wherein said cassette includes a cam surface and said print head assembly includes a cam follower such that upon inserting said cassette into said printer said print head assembly is pivoted into transverse abutment with said platen roller.

5. The printer of claim 4 wherein said platen roller is located at the periphery of said cassette between a pair of end plates and a positioning tab is located on each of said end plates.

6. The print head assembly of claim 4 further comprising a mount block, a bracket pivotally connected to said mount block, a transverse adjustment shaft extending from said support, and a biasing member, said bracket including a first arm member which carries said cam follower and a second arm member which extends to said transverse adjustment shaft, said biasing member positioned on said transverse adjustment shaft between said second arm member and said support.

7. The print head assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mount block and a first arm member, said first arm member extending from said mount block and carrying a cam follower.

8. The print head assembly of claim 7 further comprising a second arm member and a biasing member, said first arm member connected to pivot said second arm member which extends from said mount block, said biasing member positioned between an end of said second arm member and said support, wherein said print head is urged toward the paper path by said biasing member upon contact between said cam follower and a cam surface of a cassette inserted in the printer.

9. The print head assembly of claim 8 wherein said first arm and said second arm are formed integrally as a bracket which is pivotally connected to said mount block, said post extending from said mount block, said biasing member comprising a spring.

10. A printer comprising a removable cassette for receiving label stock, said cassette having a platen roller mounted therein, a print head assembly, a support for said print head, said support being mountable within said printer such that said support slides along a path which is parallel to a label stock path of said printer, wherein said cassette includes a first positioning member and said print head assembly includes a second positioning member and said first and second positioning members are located such that they abut one another and thereby establish a predetermined placement of said print head with respect to said platen roller.

11. The printer of claim 10 wherein upon inserting said cassette into said printer and feeding label stock from said printer, said first positioning member contacts said second positioning member.

12. A print head assembly for use in a printer which includes a platen roller positioned adjacent a paper path and a first positioning member associated with the platen roller, said print head assembly comprising a print head, a support for said print head, a longitudinal member, said support positioned for sliding along said longitudinal member, a second positioning member extending from one of said print head and said support for movement therewith, said second positioning member sliding into contact with the first positioning member to position said print head relative to the platen roller.

13. The print head assembly of claim 12 wherein said print head engages a web of printable stock when positioned within the printer, and wherein frictional engagement between said printable stock and said print head urges said support to slide along said longitudinal member such that said second positioning member contacts said first positioning member.

14. The print head assembly of claim 13 further comprising a first arm extending from said assembly and carrying a cam follower.

15. The print head assembly of claim 14 further comprising a second arm and a spring, said first arm connected to pivot said second arm, said spring positioned between said second arm and said support, wherein said second arm and said spring bias said print head into transverse abutment with the platen roller upon contact between said cam follower and a cam surface of a cassette inserted in the printer.

16. The print head assembly of claim 15 further comprising a transverse adjustment shaft extending from said support, said spring disposed on said transverse adjustment shaft.

17. The print head assembly of claim 15 wherein said first arm and said second arm are formed integrally as a bracket which is pivotally connected to a mount block of said assembly, said longitudinal member comprising a post which extends from said mount block.

18. A method for aligning a print head in a printer with a platen roller in a cassette which comprises:

providing a printer including a print head assembly including a print head and a support for said print head, said support being mountable within said printer such that said support slides along a path substantially parallel to a paper path in said printer, said print head assembly including a first positioning member,

providing a cassette including a platen roller and a second positioning member associated with said platen roller,

inserting said cassette into said printer, and

contacting said first positioning member and said second positioning member to position said print head with respect to said platen roller.